Report says human error caused Minnesota train crash

A Federal Railroad Administration report says human error caused the freight train collision and derailment near Dresbach last December.

The Dec. 17 crash derailed 26 cars, sent a locomotive into the Mississippi River and caused more than $1.5 million in damage. A conductor and engineer were taken to a hospital with injuries, treated and released.

The FRA report says a Canadian Pacific train didn't comply with a signal directing it to stop. It then slammed into a larger Canadian Pacific train.

The accident report also says drug and alcohol tests for each train's conductor and engineer were negative.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Canadian Pacific spokesman Mike LoVecchio says the company is withholding comment until a full report is released.

The FRA says nationally, human errors were the leading cause of train crashes in 2008, with 36 percent of incidents.

---

Information from: Winona Daily News